There once was a boy who loved to build.  Using his hands was always the thing that kept him going.  In his teens he became the president of the model airplane club in Minneapolis.  When World War ll broke out he was asked to have the club make Enemy Model Airplanes for the Fliers so that they would be able to identify the enemy aircraft.

As World War ll played out he of course joined the fight in the Army Air Core and found himself stationed in Japan for the mop-up.

Fast forward about 40 years and that boy is now a man who still loved to build things.  Pergolas, patios, and sheds, adding details to their home.  Chair rails, crown molding, built in cabinets and in the 80’s he moved into furniture. Welsh cupboards, corner cupboards, beds, dining tables.

There were always the smaller projects on the table.  Spice boxes, watch boxes, candle boxes, and chandeliers.  

And then, there was the folk art.  Going to museums in there travels and studying from books he set out to master the skill of early 19th Century Folk Art.  He made life size standing geese, herons, spotted hens, calico cats, and a Maine Coon Cat all curled up.  He made signs for store fronts and was able to sell his work.  His pieces were a constant rotation thru the home.  Test marketed on tables, peaking out from under a cupboard.  Then they would be sold or gifted to the lucky recipient.

He never lost his love for boat building!  A Minneapolis man he grew up with lakes all around him.  Having a Chris Craft boat on Lake Minnetonka in his 20’s and 30’s he bought a boat before he owned a car!  His love for carving became evident when he carved his and his sweethearts initials on a tree at Minnehaha Falls.  In the constant rotation of what was coming out of the garage there was always a ship.  Or a Pond Sailor.  Some from kits and others from scratch.  Some he kept and some he sold.

That boy became my dad and his sweetheart was my mom.  It is my privilege to be surrounded by the fruits of his labor.  Next week is the anniversary of his passing. It will be 14 years and he still is sitting on my shoulder every day. 

This pond sailor resides over my front door.  At Christmas time I like to festoon it with greens.  So it becomes moored!  

This is such a nice sculptural element and since it is open to my small living room it really helps to expand the space.  I just took faux floral picks of many different varieties and added them on the shelf.  Cedar, boxwood, pine, eucalyptus and of course pine cones.  I also added some ancient twisty berries that just add a nice sculptural element oh and some pheasant feathers.  Got to love Pheasant Feathers. 

Next up I took my pub sign and draped it in more greens with a wide green silk sash that came off a dress that my grandmother wore as a girl.  I treasure this little bit of silk and it is so fragile at this point but I’m insanely in love with how this sign turned out.  I added some pinecone mercury glass ornaments and we were good to go.

These mixed cedar picks I picked up this year locally at Prairie and Bloom and I couldn’t get enough of them.  They are so soft and drapey for faux.  I went back 4 times to get more!  Well one time was on a Monday and they were closed.

The railing I tend to keep pretty simple because it is a narrow staircase.  I did add a very thin wispy garland this year with a cluster of faux greens in the center.  Rose and green velvet ribbon adds an old quality.  The ribbon I picked up at Nest in Natchez.

On the newel I added more greens and of course my gold leaf bells.  If you want to read about the bells you will find that story here.

Of course I tied it all up with copper silk bow.  I do get a little bow happy at Christmas.  I can’t seem to help myself.

There is just nothing like the feel and look of silk ribbon.  Wish I could find it now.  Ah yes the good old days.

My Entry is a tiny 3 1/2′ x 6 1/2′ space.  Split entry doesn’t mean you can’t pack a punch and give it some personality.  The Black Swan of course is one my dad made for me and is proudly wearing a wreath to celebrate the season.  A collection of antique Doulton Series Ware called  “The Gypsy’s” and an antique Doulton Chocolate Pot grace the cupboard that dad built for my mom.  The apothecary cabinet below is another piece he made for her and he carved there initials into it. 

 When I brought it home I had hopes that it might fit here and I was both surprised and thrilled when it slid right into place.  It anchors this 12′ high ceiling.

A fun faux cedar tree holds the opposite corner in an antique leather fire bucket.  Of course I can’t leave well enough alone so I added this felt garland that I picked up at Spruce locally today.

I just love it and I think it is safe to say there is not one more inch of space in this “foyer”.  I use that term very loosely because really it is just an entry! 

Well that’s it for today.  I hope I leave you with some inspiration for your own Christmas Decorating.  I will be back with the living room next.

Thanks for stopping

Shelley